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Most U.S. compliance professionals know that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) expects importers to exercise reasonable care—but few realize just how unusual that concept is when compared to how other federal agencies handle mistakes and diligence. Let’s start with my working definition of “reasonable care.” There are other definitions, but this is what I use […]
What Makes CBP’s “Reasonable Care” Standard So Unique? Read More »
Nothing stays static for long in international trade. Not your products, not the market, and certainly not the way Customs views your shipments. So what happens when you tweak a product design, change a key component, or bundle in a new feature? Do you still get to use the same HTS code? Short answer: maybe
HTS Classification for Modified Products: What Happens When Specs Change? Read More »
Sets (or kits, for the general public), represent a unique tariff classification challenge. This is because they generally do not have an easily identifiable identity other than “just a box of stuff we sell to rebuild a motor” or make a meal (see below). If you’ve ever tried to assign an HTS code to a
How to Classify Products That Come in Sets under General Rule of Interpretation 3b Read More »
Navigating the labyrinth of Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classification is no small feat. And when the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) knocks on your door for an audit, it’s not exactly a friendly visit. But before you start hiding under your desk or shredding paperwork (don’t do that), let’s break down what to expect
HTS Classification Audits: What to Expect and How to Prepare Read More »
Explanatory Notes: The Classification Resource You’re Probably Not Using There’s a reason some tariff classifications seem to defy logic. You’re staring at the HTS description, the Chapter Notes look right, and yet something doesn’t add up. The duty rate is higher than you expected, or worse, you’re facing a challenge from CBP. That missing piece
When You Need to Understand the “Why” Behind a Tariff Heading Read More »
Section and Chapter Notes: Where the Real Classification Rules Live Most importers know what an HTS code looks like. Fewer know what it means. And almost no one reads the part that tells you how it should be interpreted in the first place. Welcome to the Section and Chapter Notes. These aren’t filler pages or
The Most Ignored (and Important) Pages in the HTSUS Read More »
General Notes in the HTSUS: What They Are and Why They Matter Most importers flip straight to the tariff code. A few get as far as the chapter notes. But almost nobody starts in the General Notes of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), where the real money-saving opportunities live. Tucked neatly
FTA Summaries, Preference Programs, and the Fine Print That Saves You Money Read More »
The Notes Nobody Reads (But Everyone Should) If you’re relying on a keyword search or a code look-up tool to classify your imports, you’re playing a risky game. HTS classification isn’t just about matching a description, it’s about following a legal framework built on layers of fine print that most people never bother to read.
Why HTS Classification Requires More Than Just a Code Search Read More »
Duty rates aren’t set in stone. They’re set in law. Like most legal frameworks, they come with nuance, exceptions, and opportunities. Understanding how those rates are calculated (and how they can be lowered) is less about beating the system and more about understanding it better than the next importer. If your duty rates seem higher
How to Determine If Your Product Qualifies for Lower Tariffs Read More »
Tariff engineering is a term that often sparks confusion and, occasionally, suspicion. Some assume it’s a loophole. Others assume it’s illegal. Neither is accurate. When done correctly, tariff engineering is a lawful, strategic method of designing products to fit within more favorable tariff classifications. When done incorrectly, it’s a fast track to compliance violations, audits,
Tariff Engineering: What It Is, What It Isn’t, and How to Do It Right Read More »